. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/L/797 
11 June 2010 
 
 (10-3186) 
 Original:   English 
  
 
STATEMENT ON SUPPORTING THE MULTILATERAL TRADING SYSTEM AND 
RESISTING PROTECTIONISM 
 
MEETING OF APEC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRADE 
Sapporo, Japan
 
5-6 June 2010  
 
Communication from Japan 
 
 
 The following statement from the XVI meeting of the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade 
held in Sapporo, Japan is being circulated  at the request of the Delegation of Japan. 
 
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STATEMENT OF THE APEC MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR TRADE 
 
  We, the APEC Ministers responsible for Trad e, gathering for our XVI meeting in Sapporo, 
Japan, express our strong commit ment to the multilateral tradi ng system and our unwavering 
determination to bring the Doha  Development Agenda (DDA) to a successful conclusion as soon as 
possible.   
1. (Promoting the Doha Development Agenda) 
1. The strengthened multilateral trading system is  a source of economic growth, development 
and stability.  Bearing in mind that further reform  and liberalization of trade policies will bolster 
economic recovery, we reaffirmed our resolve to seek an ambitious, balanced, and prompt conclusion 
to the DDA, consistent with its mandate, built on the progress achieved, including with regard to 
modalities. 
2. We candidly assessed the current state of the DDA and are deeply concerned about the 
current impasse of the negotiations. We shared the recognition that, in order to further the 
negotiations, it is essential to accelerate the exercise to  find an agreeable balance of interests, and 
strengthen political engagement at a ll levels toward a final decision. 
3. We agreed to support the process in each negotia ting group in Geneva, and at the same time, 
we will renew the empowerment of our Representativ es in Geneva and Senior Officials to move the 
Doha work forward by holding active negotiations in all appropriate fora and configurations, with our 
engagement as necessary. We will engage in horizon tal discussions to seek the path toward the end 
game. A final package will command consensus only if it delivers meaningful new trade opportunities 
in all areas as well as substantial reductions in trade distortions.  WT/L/797 
Page 2  
 
  4. Each economy will make a due contributio n toward a DDA outcome. With a sense of 
collective responsibility, not only among APEC economies, but also with economies outside the region, the APEC economies, which stand to benefit significantly from open trade, will play a leading role toward achieving the conclusion of the DDA.   We will report progress to APEC Leaders in 
Yokohama. 
5. We reaffirm that the early conclusion of DDA negotiations will provide benefits to all WTO 
members, especially to developing members. We recognize the importance of Aid for Trade and trade finance so that the multilateral trading system would contribute to the sustainable development. 
2.  (Resisting Protectionism) 
6. Some economic indicators show that the worl d economy is on its way to recovery, but the 
lingering high unemployment rates may give rise to political pressures to adopt protectionist 
measures.  We recognize that the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment is the key to 
maintaining and creating employment, and remain co mmitted to rejecting all forms of protectionism, 
keeping our markets open, and taking steps to rollb ack trade distorting measures introduced during the 
crisis.  We agreed to extend the commitment on st andstill made by APEC L eaders in 2008 for another 
year (i.e. until 2011) and stand ready to extend this fu rther, if necessary.  We will continue to exercise 
maximum restraint in implementing measures that may be considered to be WTO consistent if they 
have a significant protectionist effect and promptly rectify such measures where implemented.  We will also continue to remain vigilant to all signs of protectionism. 
7. We recognize that trade monitoring efforts with in the WTO have been functioning effectively 
so far, and appreciate the degree to which APEC h as been involved in information sharing.  We 
request that this information sharing be conti nued and encourage economies to continue to show 
transparency. In keeping with our pledge to main tain free and open markets, we will continue to 
undertake regular review of measures undertaken  by APEC economies that impact on trade and 
investment based on reports prepared by the APEC  Secretariat with inputs from the WTO, the APEC 
Business Advisory Council and other relevant bodies. 
 
 
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